Kamakura Shogun, Prince Munetaka

The Sixth Shogun died on this day, September 2, 1274

The sixth Kamakura Shogun, Munetaka Shinnou, (also known as Prince Munetaka) was born December 15, 1242, the eldest son of the the 88th Emperor, Go-Saga. Although the first born son of Go-Saga and therefore much favored by his father, his mother's low status meant he had little chance of ever ascending the throne, leading the Emperor to worry about Munetaka’s future. (Prince Munetaka's mother was the daughter of Taira no Munemoto, an official in charge of palace construction in the capital and was not of high status as an emperor's consort. Around the same time, Saionji Kisshi, the daughter of the nobleman Saionji Saneji had became the consort of Emperor Go-Saga and was pregnant, so it was certain that her son, rather than Munetaka, would succeed to the Imperial Throne.)